Tuesday, January 01, 2008


Crystal Lattice

My inspiration for "ice" was a geode sliced in half. The crystals in the center of these rocks have always looked like sparkling ice to me...so I beaded 3 medallions with varied sizes of crystals and glass beads in the centers, surrounded by the beaded "agate" that comprises the body of the rock. I placed these on a manipulated icy fabric landscape of satins, velvets, moires etc.

I really enjoyed doing this one...especially the beading! All comments invited...Cherie

10 comments:

Sandy said...

this is very icy looking. you are right about the centres of crystals and geodes having a similar look to ice. I guess it is the facets that reflect, which is what happens with ice, too.

do you think it could use a bit more quilting to give more of "hardness" feel? Some of the areas read as soft, but perhaps that was intentional.
Sandy in the UK

Cherie in Del Mar said...

Hi Sandy...I had in mind a landscape of ice and drifting snow. When I sort of tacked it down as if quilted more, it lost that quality. What did you have in mind?
Cherie

anna k. said...

Cherie,
very effective use of beading on this piece, beautifully done...it creates a shimmer effect.

Sandy said...

Oh, I was going with the geodes/crystals bit. yes, I would leave it if it were ice and drifting snow. That's what it looks like!
Sandy in the UK

Roberta Ranney said...

Hi Cherie - This piece really says ice and snow to me. I think the beading is very effective in adding texture and sparkle. Very appealing work.

Roberta

Jan said...

Rather than a geode center I think it looks much like the frozen rivers and streams we see here in winter. The ice has frozen in the whiling shape of the water. I love the feel you gotten with this piece and wouldn't change a thing.

Art by Rhoda Forbes said...

This also reminds me of a snowey landscape. The beading adds the sparkle that we live with for most of our winter.

Cynthia Ann Morgan said...

Hi Cherie, ooohhh...pretty! I too see a snowy landscape or frozen stream. The beading is exquisite. Wonderful job! A couple suggestions to consider: I would quilt some texture in the background area, in the valleys of the wrinkles & folds, either seed stiching by hand or machine quilting. I would also add one more piece of silver fabric somewhere to balance the other 2 large silver pieces.

Your work is always so interesting and well made...and I always enjoy your pieces.
Cynthia

Carole said...

Delicious!!!
I love this piece... where I grew up we had a lot of drifting snow, a warm day that would put a frosty crust on the top and the sparkles would be blinding. Get enough of those days and we could walk on it with out falling through. Those drifts always reminded me of whipped cream and the sparkles of those silver beads on wedding cake icing....
hmmm...You are probably too young to remember those beads of candy.....
A beauty to be sure!
Carole

brendaj said...

Hi Cherie,
Very unique, and very interesting. I love all the texture to the piece. I would really like to see this one in person!

Brenda